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| Taste-tested and ranked are 29 well-known tequila brands |
One misunderstood spirit is tequila. It can be challenging to choose the finest brand based only on taste because there are so many of them with attractive bottles, catchy phrases, and creative advertising. There are many excellent tequila brands available, and you're losing out on some potentially amazing sips if you're too preoccupied with following a name or advertisement instead of trying something new.
You have to work hard to find the tequila that truly suits your taste and preferences. Determine which one appeals to you in terms of flavor, texture, and aroma; which one seems like it might go well with your preferred tequila-based cocktail; and which one seems like a terrible hangover waiting to happen.
We conducted a blind tasting of 29 of the most well-known tequila brands, focusing solely on blancos, because there are hundreds of tequilas and each one often has at least three different age expressions: blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, you name it. Ignoring elements like price and marketing jargon, which can ultimately influence the kinds of spirits we choose to drink in the first place, we focused on aspects like flavor and scent. Continue reading to find out which tequila is the finest when our eyes are closed and each brand can only be judged by the liquid in the bottle.
Some suggestions are based on personal experiences with the manufacturer's products and promotional materials.
29. The Cutwater
Rarely can you smell tequila before the glass is even placed in front of you, but for some reason, this one's scent reached me well before the liquid did. Additionally, Cutwater has a lovely nose. It has slight flowery and green undertones, along with a hint of spice from black pepper. However, there is a lot of burn that is quite strong on the palate right away. I was able to identify some vegetal and herbaceous aromas after a few swirls and sips, but the alcohol burn completely overpowered any flavor that might have been attempting to emerge. The finish is rather spicy, yet the texture is smooth and slightly creamy.
This blanco receives the lowest rating in this blind tasting because it didn't quite live up to my expectations of being as smooth and fresh on the downhill as it was on the initial heady inhale.
28. The Hornitos
Hornitos, a brand I've only ever tried in a frozen margarita and most definitely not sipped neat, comes in at number 28 in the tasting. The scent is a touch unsettling right immediately, as if it had been left out for a while and was beginning to deteriorate—and quite shamefully at that. The nose is heavy with alcohol, but after swirling around in the glass and allowing it to breathe a little more, a hint of sweetness did emerge. Even though each sip was peppery, a strong alcohol burn quickly overshadowed it. The burn gradually subsided after a short while, leaving my mouth with only a lingering burn feeling.
The overall experience was a little too powerful for my taste and somewhat alcohol-heavy, even if there were some encouraging undertones of sweetness at the start of each sip.
27. Corralejo tequila
Even in the blanco category, the first olfactory elements are crucial to the whole experience when searching for a decent sipping tequila. Tequila Corralejo's scent immediately drew me in. The subtle scents of freshly cut grass and lilac immediately filled my nostrils. That crisp, outside aroma grew stronger after a few swirls, giving me optimism for an equally satisfying sipping experience. The first sip has a delicious, slightly creamy taste, but the strong alcohol and spiciness quickly chase that pleasant feeling away.
Although this tequila's beautiful scent undoubtedly increased the enjoyment, the first pleasant flavors were destroyed by the scorching alcohol burn, leaving behind a spicy finish with some residual minerality. A good candidate that tastes better in a mixed drink than by itself.
26. Leguas Siete
Siete Leguas is ranked number 26 because it is extremely green on the first inhale and has some crisp, fresh notes along with citrus and a hint of cilantro. To give credit where credit is due, however, it is about to become a truly delightful beverage. Agave and sweet melon first greeted my taste, but they vanished pretty immediately, leaving behind a generally mild flavor. The first sweet fruit flavor was muted on the second sip by strong heat and scorching undertones.
Amazingly, this had a very warm, silky finish with hints of black pepper. In a frozen margarita or maybe a Paloma cocktail, where the grapefruit's acidity could blend well with the overall sweet and spicy flavors, I wouldn't mind this at all.
25. Cayeya tequila
Tequila Cayeya, a blanco that I was quite excited to sample because I had never had it before, is featured in the 25 place. The bottle is composed of recycled materials. The plan is to utilize the bottle for another culinary item, such as olive oil, after the tequila is finished. It's a noble quest, but it's not why we're here. The initial inhalation has a somewhat plastic-like smell, but it disappears after a few light swirls in the glass, leaving behind a much cleaner, brighter scent. This dish has a rich, savory flavor with hints of black vinegar and soy sauce.
I was surprised to find this blanco tequila to be rather flavorful, but I still enjoyed it. The finish has a great deal of fire, but it only lasts a short while before going out. Like a rice cake or a piece of sourdough bread, the final flavor includes a hint of salinity. Although I doubt I could regularly drink this by itself, I have nothing against it being a part of a tequila cocktail that is more savory, such as a bloody maria.
24. The Corazon
I don't necessarily want to be confronted with the stench of alcohol before anything else, even though I am well aware that I am about to consume tequila. Regretfully, that is what transpired with Corazon in the 24th position. Thankfully, after a few swirls in the glass, the harsh alcohol aroma fades and is replaced by softer notes of lime, honey, and melon, making for a much more enjoyable experience.
That initial taste has a sharp, intensely peppery flavor. The pepper overtones overshadowed everything else, even after I took additional sips and hoped for more. The peppery flavors in this blanco make it a good partner for a bloody maria or even a hot margarita, but I can't imagine drinking it by itself.
23. Fulano, Don
Don Fulano's scent assaulted my sinuses like an 18-wheeler right away; it was strong and fiery, with a hint of ginger and clove. A brief swirl in the glass, however, allowed the spiciness to settle down and allowed the flavors of toasted almond and cooked agave to emerge for a much more pleasant scent. This resulted in a pleasant, tasty drink that was full of honey, vanilla, with a hint of black pepper. There is some discernible fire that remained for a little too long, along with a mildly spicy finish.
This was a pleasant drink, but all in all, it was a little forgotten. This one, in my opinion, is yet another excellent illustration of a blanco that would complement a savory tequila drink and bring out the peppery flavors.
22. Julio Don
Don Julio blanco has a sweet, inviting scent with strong melon and honey undertones. A beautiful bouquet of scents emerges after a few swirls, followed by the release of some flowery notes before you take your first sip. The flavor is crisp and pure on the palate, with notes of sweet agave and ripened stone fruit. The finish has a faint burn, but it's not unpleasant; rather, it serves as a reminder that this is a spirit that should be sipped gradually rather than consumed all at once. It's a really disappointing finish for a drink that I first loved because all that crisp, fruity flavor is soon muted after just a few moments.
In terms of tequila consumption, I continue to maintain my belief that Don Julio is deserving of a neat pour, possibly accompanied by an ice cube to truly open it up. A flavorful tequila is obviously necessary for the ideal margarita, and this one has earned its spot with agave nectar and lime juice.
21. Cazadores
The blanco Cazadores, number 21, was the first to make me think, "Oh, this is most definitely a blanco tequila." The hit of zesty citrus and cooked agave aroma on that first inhale was so familiar and welcoming that I instantly wanted to reach for a wedge of lime so I could squeeze a few drops in to really make this complete. I had no idea where it came from or what brand it was. A hint of honey sweetness quickly balances out the spicy, almost overpowering, first sip.
Overall, this has a pleasant flavor that lingers for a few moments after that last drink, and the texture is a touch creamy. Overall, this was a delicate and light taste that never seemed unduly harsh or alcohol-forward, though there were some strong herbaceous aromas towards the finish.
20. Herradura tequila
Tequila Herradura, a blanco that ages in American white oak barrels for forty-five days, comes next. You can taste every piece of those forty-five days after taking a few long breaths of this in the glass and eventually tasting it. I tasted this tequila and knew it was of a higher quality than many of the ones I had tried and would sample in the future, even if I didn't know who manufactured it.
The first sip is accompanied by a striking and alluring aroma that is herbaceous with a lot of grass and green pepper. Sweet and fruity with hints of floweriness, the flavor quickly takes over and is dominated by toasted wood, black pepper, and strong spices. This sip has a lot of fire, and the burn lingers on the finish, though not always in a negative way. I could imagine myself sipping this elegant blanco and savoring every second of it.
19. Canto Alto
Alto Canto deserves its place in the center of this blind-tasting ranking because of its lovely, crisp aromas of melon and honey on the nose, along with a hint of pine and wood. After a few spins in the glass, the aroma is delicious and fresh, with a hint of banana and vanilla bean, followed by a hint of mint. It has a herbaceous, slightly grassy flavor with strong peppery undertones that provide for a nice, if fiery, finish.
Intrigued by the sweetness on the nose and the overall vegetal flavor, I found myself returning for more sips of this one. A blanco with so many opposing flavor and aromatic elements has its place, but every time I returned for more, I relished the difference.
18. El Cielo Patrón
Starting with Patrón El Cielo, this is where things start to go from good to exceptional in the list. With crisp, sweet scents of apples and roasted pears, along with some delicate floral notes after a few spins in the glass, this place has a sophisticated and welcoming aroma. I was greeted right away after taking a drink by honey and white pepper, along with a hint of sweet melon that persisted.
This blanco has a lot of character and depth, and it finishes smoothly with a hint of black pepper for a little spice. Patrón El Cielo is sweet and rich, and unlike many blancos that tend to blast you with a lot of taste and then quickly fade, this one lingers and invites you to return for more sips. This blanco is perfect for a neat sip or with a little lime juice for brightness and zest because of its delicate, mild flavor.
Joyful Life
You pay attention when a tequila has a scent that is positively lovely in the glass. Note what I did with Dulce Vida, too. There are crisp, fresh agave and lime notes on the nose. I began to detect even more enticing, fragrant aromas of grapefruit and a hint of black pepper after a few swirls. I kept returning for deep inhalations of this liquid to acquire more of its brightness, even though this is a blind tequila tasting rather than a smelling experience.
This tequila is surprisingly sweet on the first sip. Not overtly, yet enough to draw attention to it. For the record, this did not occur, but it seems as though someone added a small amount of vanilla sugar to the glass and mixed it thoroughly. The sweetness gets more balanced as some mild spice and citrus notes enter the mix after a few more swallows and swishes to cover my entire palette. The finish is silky with a hint of fiery pepper at the end, and the notes of ripe pineapple and lime take center stage. With just a lime wedge garnish, a dash of pineapple juice, and an ice cube, I can definitely see myself loving this.
16. Teremana
Teremana blanco, the third item on our list, is a tequila that I had previously tasted, but only in mixed drinks; I have never had it by itself. It smelled like newly cut grass that had just been rained on, and I could definitely smell what the Rock was cooking (if you know, you know). A blanco with a more earthy, mineral-forward scent that isn't musty but rather smells clean and fresh has a lot to offer. On the first sip, this had a lot more flavor than I anticipated, despite having a nice crisp, fresh scent.
At first, there's a lot of black pepper, but as soon as that spice enters the mix, juicy peach and agave sweetness take over. It has a long-lasting, silky taste with a hint of sweet plum near the end, making for a delightful drink.
15. El Tequileño
Next in our list is El Tequileño, a blanco that made me spend several minutes frantically filling down tasting notes because each time I returned for another taste or fragrance, I discovered something new that I had never tasted or smelled before. The scent has a hint of zesty lime and mild green pepper, but the initial taste takes a drastic swing to the left.
El Tequileño has the flavor characteristics of a young reposado, which I truly liked, but it looks and smells like a blanco, unlike any other blanco I've encountered. Along with vanilla and toffee, there is a hint of smoke on the palate. Along with a hint of subtle spice that stays for a long time, the finish has some cooked agave sweetness. It's a really pleasant blanco that may stand alone or be a great addition to a cocktail.
14. Azul Flecha
If you're fortunate, the scent of cooked agave in tequila is immediately noticeable. I definitely had luck on my side with Flecha Azul Blanco. The notes of cooked agave immediately emerged on that initial swirl and deep inhale, followed soon by orange overtones. First and foremost, I was struck by how fresh Flecha Azul was; instead of that unappealing alcoholic nasal burn, the aroma was clear and vibrant. Flecha Azul has easily earned its place in the center of the pack based only on fragrance. The flavor, which cemented its place in the top 15, was even more remarkable in my opinion.
I haven't really seen the richness of Flecha Azul in a blanco previously. The mouthfeel is nearly creamy, and the palate is coated with notes of crisp apple, citrus, a hint of peppery spice, and herbal overtones. The palate still has the roasted taste of the cooked agave, which completes the flavor profile and makes it complex and well-balanced. In one word? Azul Flecha is luscious. It's totally fine to drink, and I would really love to do it in one of the many tequila cocktails, such as a Brave Bull or a spiced ranch water, that let the base spirit take center stage instead of the mixers.
13. 1800
I have always regarded 1800 as one of the best blancos, but a lot of that has been due to its higher price range and generally higher-end reputation. It comes in at number 13 in this rating. It almost seems like a crime to fast drink this tequila rather than take a sip and savor it when someone offers me a shot. Fresh green bell pepper and lemon peel give out a welcoming, zesty scent. But the taste is much sweeter than that slightly savory, more vegetal scent. It tastes sweet, almost like candy, in that first sip. My taste receptors were assaulted by notes of cream soda and vanilla, followed shortly after by a hint of mild caramel. For a brief moment, there are subtle hints of nutmeg and cinnamon, and then they disappear.
This blanco has a lot of body, a smooth finish, and very little burn. Instead of a fast shot, this gorgeous blanco deserves time in the glass.
12. Jose Cuervo Especial
I closed my eyes and visualized myself strolling through the fresh produce area of my neighborhood farmer's market, enjoying the height of summer stone fruit season, as I took my first whiff of Jose Cuervo Especial, which has more than earned its place at number 12. Fresh and clean, this tequila immediately smells of freshly cleaned nectarines and lovely orange blossoms. After a few moments, some agave sweetness emerges to balance everything else, but the first sip is incredibly smooth and less sweet than the aroma would imply.
As I allowed the liquid to move across my palate, I detected crisp, fresh aromas along with sweet and slightly spicy flavors. This is a well-balanced blanco that doesn't have a lot of alcohol burn. Overall, it tastes smooth and is among the nicest sipping tequilas I've tried. The end includes a hint of black pepper.
11. The pantalones
I was excited to sample Pantalones with blinders on, without letting anything about the brand or its creators affect my judgment, as it was one of the few celebrity-endorsed brands in this blind tasting. Additionally, Pantalones is firmly ranked at number eleven because it is a really great blanco tequila, whereas many celebrity-endorsed spirits tend to be all about pomp and not quality.
At first, the scent is like strolling on your back deck after a little rain—limestone. Bright citrus notes start to emerge after a few gentle swirls in the glass. Tropical fruit flavors, such as pineapple and unsweetened coconut, contribute to the palate's sweetness. Additionally, there are some sticky, sweet agave overtones, but these flavors gradually fade after a short while, leaving me wanting more. For a novice blanco drinker seeking a sweet, delicious beverage without a strong burn, the finish is exceptionally pleasant.
10. Jose Cuervo Platino's Reserva de la Familia
It was quite challenging to determine which blanco belonged to which rank as we moved into the top 10 of this blind tasting. At number ten is Jose Cuervo's Reserva de la Familia, a stunning statement that, upon discovering that this was indeed the brand I had placed at number ten, I was shocked to learn that it was also the source of a tequila that I loathed drinking in my early twenties.
Admittedly, the scent of this brand's more upscale manifestation is initially very unappetizing. That plastic-like smell vanished after a few swirls in the glass, leaving me with a crisp minerality. Fortunately, the initial sip was much more pleasant and enticing. The first taste is clear and sweet, with a hint of ripe stone fruit and cooked agave flavor. After a short while, pineapple and jasmine tea flavors emerge, resulting in a pleasant and flowery taste. Although there is a burst of fire at the end, this is a well-balanced blanco that makes me think of Jose Cuervo as a premium brand going forward.
9. Sauza
Sauza Silver, a blanco that I assume makes readers ask, "Seriously?" Well, yeah, honestly — this was a startling revelation for me as well, as I've always thought of Sauza as a lower-end blanco. It sits neatly at number 9 on my list. However, when I taste blind, everything is disclosed, thus my opinions were all the more sincere because I had no idea what I was getting into this particular flavor. The aroma of Sauza, which is full of freshly peeled banana, is unlike any other I've encountered during this tasting. The palate also picks up a little of that banana sweetness, but it soon gives way to luscious pears.
Overall, this was a pretty smooth sip, with a definite alcohol burn coming down the finish along with some noticeable vanilla and oak. Even while I still think Sauza tastes better in a margarita than a neat drink, I definitely respect this brand more now.
8. The Great Centenario
Gran Centenario's faint golden hue in the glass made me question whether this was a blanco tequila. Even after tasting the flavors and scent, I was still perplexed as to how a tequila could claim to be a blanco while acting more like a young bourbon than anything else. Nevertheless, this is a lovely blanco tequila that certainly deserves its position at number 8 in this rating. It stands out as a sip with a lot more flavor and complexity than I anticipated. The flavor palate is incredibly distinct from the aroma, which is subtly fragrant with heavy notes of marigold and orange blossom.
That first taste has aromas of caramel and vanilla, along with a hint of toasted wood. With its remarkable character and rich flavor, this blanco made me want to pour it into a rocks glass with a cube of ice and drink it like whiskey.
7. Traditional Jose Cuervo Tequila Plata
The first thing I tasted for our blind tasting was Jose Cuervo's Tradicional Tequila Plata, and what a fantastic introduction it was. Again, even if the Jose Cuervo brand has a somewhat negative reputation, its more upscale versions are demonstrating that it is much more than its initial incarnation.
There are notes of something more vegetal, like green beans or asparagus, in the sweet scent. Additionally, there is a hint of citrus, like the squeezing of a recently peeled lemon. Overall, the flavor is delicate; after a few more drinks, I began to detect more floral notes like lilac and lavender in addition to the sweet, toasty notes of agave and oak. Because there isn't any noticeable alcohol burn throughout, it's a cool drink that lasts for a short while before disappearing. It is therefore among the top tequilas for shots. I was definitely looking forward to each subsequent sip more and more because of the smooth and welcoming finish.
6. Silver Patrón
Patrón Silver, a well-known brand in the tequila market, is ranked number six on this list. With crisp notes of lime and some citrus, this blanco has a gorgeously aromatic nose. The fragrance opened up for additional herbaceous notes, mostly dill and chamomile, after a few mild swirls in the glass. There is a lot of delicious summer melon sweetness and honey for a somewhat creamy texture, along with a sweet and crisp flavor. Those delicious melon notes lingered for a while, and the finish was inviting and silky. The combination of fruit and herbaceous brightness surprised me each time I returned for another taste, making for a well-balanced, full-bodied sip.
Overall, this place has a really nice flavor without any overpowering pepper or alcohol burn. I've used Patrón Silver as the base for a lot of margaritas, and while it's great in those situations, I also think this tequila is great for sipping and deserves its spot in our ranking.
5. Casamigos
Casamigos, which completes the top five on this list, is another example of a celebrity-endorsed tequila that has rightfully earned its place on the list based only on flavor. This blanco has a really wonderful scent. I immediately detect honey, melon, and vanilla, followed shortly by the smell of cooked agave. I almost forgot I needed to taste this blanco at some point because it was one of the more aromatic ones I enjoyed sipping. Nevertheless, with its sweet, nuanced flavors of melon and freshly picked basil, the scent elegantly sets up the flavor.
There is not even a trace of alcohol burn in this crisp, invigorating tequila, which has a wonderfully smooth aftertaste. It almost feels like a shame to share the flavor of Casamigos with anything else, even though I can attest to how enjoyable it is in a cocktail.
4. LALO
Before this tasting, I had never had LALO, the next blanco tequila to make the top five, so I was eager to give it a candid evaluation while wearing blinders. Fresh lemongrass and bell pepper, along with grapefruit peel for some brightness, immediately assaulted my sinuses during that first inhale. A few swirls in the glass just intensify the smells, bringing out more of the grapefruit and lemongrass. With hints of red apples and softly cooked pears, the initial sip is lovely and crisp. Overall, this is a crisp, refreshing drink with a hint of heat from white pepper and anise.
With a hint of spiciness at the very end, the finish is smooth and tastes just as good as the first sip. On a sweltering summer day, this is the tequila to grab if you want to savor it neat.
3. Agaves Tres
Tres Agaves, a blanco that has rightfully earned its position as the bronze medal holder on our list after being tried initially and then repeatedly, rounds out the top three of this blind tasting. The scent is fresh at first, but then it immediately hits you with a hint of artificial sweetness, like bubble gum. Even though I wasn't particularly confident before taking my first sip, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted. With a trace of sweet agave at the finish and some vibrant guava flavor, the first taste is clear and crisp.
A few more sips reveal that the refreshing flavor is still there, but the sweet tropical fruit flavor—which includes some pineapple—becomes more noticeable. I think this was one of the nicest tequilas to drink, and I'm looking forward to having a lot of neat glasses of it in the future, maybe with some agave and lime juice squeezed in.
2. The Camarena
I had to choose which tequila was the clear winner at this stage of the ranking. Although it was a photo finish, Camarena deservedly came in at number two on our list. In addition to some ripe melon and spring freshness, the initial scent in the glass is a little grassy and sharp. Additional vibrant floral aromas, particularly those of mint and aloe, were accentuated by a few swirls in the glass. With every breath, I was able to visualize myself taking a stroll on a bright spring day, and wow, that was a beautiful picture.
Things alter on the palate, but in a really positive way. The flavor was much more nuanced, with hints of toasted oak and cinnamon, light caramel, vanilla bean, and a honey-forward finish, despite the scents being crisp and vibrant. Although it definitely deviates from what I anticipate when I go for a sample of a blanco tequila, I thought this was really rich and well-balanced, and I really liked it. Camarena's distinct flavor attributes are what solidly place it in second place.
1. Mijenta
With Mijenta blanco surpassing 28 other very good tequilas, we are now at the top of the list. But Mijenta truly swept me away from the first inhale to the last sip, which I never really wanted to finish, thus this spot was well-earned. Mijenta has a strong aroma of cooked agave and honey in the glass. Following a mild swirl, a few notes of citrus and white pepper emerge, along with a hint of jasmine tea. But it was that first sip that truly made Mijenta stand out. With a creamy smoothness and sweet melon and pineapple flavors, the flavor is incredibly rich and nuanced.
The finish is incredibly smooth and nearly buttery, with a toasted, freshly baked banana bread flavor toward the end. With the most remarkable and well-balanced flavor profile, Mijenta is a very unique blanco that easily wins the top rank.
Techniques
It's not an easy undertaking to blind taste 29 different tequila varieties. I did, however, draw some inspiration from Andrew Rea, also known as Binging with Babish, one of my favorite YouTube chefs and personalities. I drank each tequila in a glass, not knowing the brand beforehand, and rated it on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 representing a genuinely exceptional tequila. This is similar to how Babish scores his numerous rankings and tastings of various dishes. I then placed the tequilas with the highest scores at the top of the list, with the tequilas with lower scores making up the remainder.
I gave each tequila a score based on its look in the glass, flavor, and scent. A particular thank you to my husband, Brandon, who poured each sample for me and, despite my best efforts to guess, didn't reveal which brand was which until the very end, when all the scoring had been finished.
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